Carey definitely in for me, Wade can be used as batsmen at number 7?
What about a 5th bowler? Marsh?

Tried and failed in England before. The fact that Stoinis and Maxwell didn't even make the squad tells me they aren't that interested in an all-rounder, probably following a dismal World Cup for them both.
In an ideal world I'd have Head as captain and have Carey keep wicket.

Decent side however Khawaja out leaves a big hole.
I like Pucovski but not sure he's up for it - would have either M Harris or Wade instead.
I think if Paine has an ordinary series this will be it for him - they'll want to bring in Carey fairly soon as they know he's the long-term keeper

Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja & Marnus Labuschagne named in the aussie ashes squad, not sure how or, why they became eligible to play for australia ie citizenship-family origins.... I believe swannsong has the percentages that say he is more aussie than them (and he isn’t actually Australian)

A south african who thinks he’s a mate sent me that squad, bit light on the bowling but not bad

Andrew Strauss - might make 2 runs
Jason Roy - fair chance
Jonathan Trott - too many doctor's appointments, so unlikely
Tony Greig - will get timed out
Kevin Pietersen - still at the late night disco, so nah
Allan Lamb - has the runs more than making them these days
Robin Smith - probably back in South Africa, his true home land
Matt Prior - no issues if he plays
Keaton Jennings - who?
Jade Dernbach - see above
Tom Curran - pretty boy, yeah play him - leave Anderson out

Bottom line, something can be learned from the Irish. Good, accurate swing bowling at a good length is more likely to reap rewards as opposed to a mindless bouncer barrage which Australia seems (usually) to think will work playing on overseas wickets.

Must give credit where its due, the barmy army are a brilliant lot, even if they "smelly" with very bad teeth.

Justin Langer's Australian side are well aware England's vociferous Barmy Army have prepared fresh taunts and satirical merchandise ahead of Thursday's first Ashes clash.

The Barmy Army's tongue-in-cheek songs have been an iconic part of the group's identity and this year the tunes are directed at three particular players: David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

One song directed at Australian opener Warner is sung to the tune of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall and goes:

"He still needs some education,

He still needs some self-control,

No gold sandpaper in his pocket

Warner, leave those balls alone

Hey, Warner, leave those balls alone

All in all he's just another cheat like them all..."

Meanwhile, merchandise has cropped up on the Barmy Army's website - including a Cluedo-themed shirt showing Warner, Smith and Bancroft as character cards, with the names 'professional liar' and 'ex-colonel cheat'.

Managing director of the Barmy Army Chris Millard believes it is the group's duty to do anything to help the England team succeed, although he did not condone the ritual booing of Warner and Smith during the World Cup.

"We never try to step over the line," he said. "We think we can be witty and funny without that. It's always about supporting the England team and if we can get under the nerves of the Aussies then we sure will."

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes the Australians will not be sledged over the ball-tampering scandal by England's players.

"Listen to the crowd and the singing which will be aimed at Steve Smith and David Warner, it will be raucous, but actually I predict the players in the middle will barely say a word," Swann said on Wednesday.

"It is what it is... There is nothing we can do about it. It is 100 per cent out of our control and their control," he said. "There is nothing we can do about it and that's OK".

"Our boys, Steve and David have had a pretty good dress rehearsal of it during the World Cup, I thought they were brilliant in how they behaved and responded to it... they kept smiling their way through it generally. It won't be different in the Ashes series."

While Edgbaston's conditions are tailor-made for England's swing bowlers, the bearpit atmosphere is perhaps just as an important factor why Australia have not won a Test there since 2001 and why England are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in the leafy part of Birmingham.